I was approached by an aidmate with question about a fraudulent loan offer. This gave me the idea to create an Abuse / Warning page where all aidmates can post their similar experience in order to warn others.

Given the number of aidmates that are talking about financial problems, and the fact that Aidpage is free for everybody, unfortunately, it is unavoidable to have spammers, liars and dishonest people. We are doing as much as we can to keep the system open and at the same moment to identify such parties. The system is performing automatic post-processing for known fraudulent schemes and is deleting the identified accounts. Aidpage is removing some accounts – mostly international Nigerian-like “loan givers”. This is why, once in a while, some of you are receiving email notifications for messages. Then, when you login, there is no message - it was deleted in the meantime by the system. Unfortunately, we are far from 100% successful in this identification process.

So, what should we do? Here are several suggestions I can think of:

1. Use common sense!
   
2. Be careful and communicate through Aidpage only. Nobody needs your email or phone to talk to you. They can do it easily on Aidpage and yet they would not have access to your information (unless you let them).
3. Any legitimate lender or grant giving organization should identify itself publicly. Such institutions cannot be hidden or secret.
4. Whoever claims to represent an organization should be able to post all pertinent information about him/herself and the organization – address, phone, full name, type of business etc – right here on Aidpage. This is a simple advertising for the company and it cannot be a secret. On the other hand, you don’t have to give any information about yourself – their business info is public, your personal info is not!
5. Once you’ve got all the info, go ahead and check them out. Ask aidmates that you can trust for advice. Make sure you know with whom you are dealing.
6. Then, there are individuals willing to help. This is the best thing happening on Aidpage. However, their personal information is as private as yours. They may not want to expose themselves publicly and this is absolutely understandable. Anonymous charity is common.
7. In case someone wants to send you money, they can do it via Paypal. You just need your own Paypal account – it is easy and free. This way, you don’t have to give out any sensitive personal information – like home address, phone, bank accounts, social security number, birth date, etc. You may consider creating a special email for Paypal only.

I do believe good people vastly outnumber the bad guys, anyway.

Use this space to do what the title says...

This is a public space! When reporting cases of inappropriate use of Aidpage, do not post personal information that you don't want to be seen on the web.

Please, add as comments under this page the original texts of messages and emails that you received... that turned out to be scams and fraudulent loan offers.

Take out from the text your personal information (if any) like your own email address, your real name, etc.

How to protect ourselves from scammers?

It is a real world and there are many types of people. I do believe that the vast majority consists of honest, decent people, unfortunately, there are also scammers, liars and so on. In most of the cases we are unable to recognize them from the first contact. If this contact is via anonymous communication it is even more difficult. Additionally, if the other person is a scammer, the chances are that you will be dealing with a person way more experienced than you with the Internet. Most of the scammers prefer to talk to you one-to-one. Of course! This way it is much easier to create a believable story and it is way more difficult to check this story. Sounds dangerous, doesn’t it? Yes it does, but only sounds like that. In reality it is not that difficult to protect yourself. There is a way to greatly minimize the risk of being scammed. I will try to explain it as simple as possible.

Everything starts with a simple rule:

USE COMMON SENSE!
It is not that difficult at all! Do not give your personal information! Do not give your email - it is a personal information!

1. Assume that the scammer is smarter than you. It doesn’t matter whether it is actually true. That assumption will help you a lot. Less ego is safer! If you do think that the scammer is smarter it is more likely to ask somebody else for help. Therefore, more likely to identify possible scam.
   
   
2. All of you are used in the old way – ‘…here is my email, phone number or (even worst) my address – contact me…’. I know, it appears simple and forward, but it is stupid and dangerous. How about a new way of communication? How about keeping your privacy and keep communicating at the same time? Yes! There is a new way – use aidPage! Keep ALL of your communication with the aidmates via aidPage only. You have choice of public and private messages. It is even more convenient that the old email. What is more important – you exact location and email address are protected. So, the other party has no way to get this private information unless you give it to him/her yourself. Which brings us to the next question – when, how and how much information should we give to the other party?
   
   
3. Will you give your home address or phone number to a complete stranger on the street? Probably not. Why you are doing it on the net?! What would be the common sense action on the street? You will try to get to know this person better. Perhaps, you will meet somewhere else; perhaps, you will take a friend with you…; perhaps after you feel more confident you may give him/her some more personal information about you. Sounds natural, isn’t it? Well, it is! Do exactly the same thing here. Talk to anybody you like. Ask other aidmates for their opinion about this person. Give yourself enough time to know this person.
   
   I do understand that when you are in trouble there is not much time and you would like to get help as soon as possible. That is probably true, but it is also true that you don’t want more troubles. So, remember – Patience is a virtue! What was the first rule - The scammer is smart. Ok, maybe, but being smart the scammer don’t like to invest too much time with you. He/she is in this for an easy catch. If you are patient, careful and you are asking questions you are not an easy catch. Most likely he/she will loose interest or in the mean time will be identified as scammer by you or some other aidmate. So, you are safe. On the other hand, if the other party is a decent person he/she will not be offended by your questions. He/she understands your worries and will be patient too. A person that is willing to help you will not ask you for anything in advance. It is not a trade – it is help!
   
   
4. Let us say, you found an individual that is willing to help you by sending you some item that you need. There may be shipping charges involved. You might be willing to cover these charges. It is ok, but PLEASE don’t do this in advance! Think! Most likely the other person is better situation than yours. So, he/she can take care about these charges at least temporarily. Once, you receive the item, you can send shipping charges back. If you trust him/her with your address it is just fair to expect such trust back.
   
   
5. If there are money involved. The best way is to use Paypal. It is easy, free and it is safe. Yes, it is easier to get a money order or a check, but it is also easier to counterfeit them. Remember – you are patient and you are not looking for trouble!
   
   One important note: If somebody is sending you money with a condition to distribute some of them to other parties this is almost 100% scam. Ask yourself why he/she needs this? If he/she want to send money to several people it is easy to be done. Why sending money to you to send them to somebody else? It is a scam!
   
   
6. If the other party claims to be an organization then it is even easier. Any legitimate organization has a public website, publicly known address, phone and officers. If some of this information is missing or withhold there is something wrong! Alter all it is simple advertising for this organization. Ask yourself why it should be a secret? Ask them to publish this information on aidPage. This way other aidmates will be able to check them too.
   
   
7. A word for the people willing to help. The above rules of communication are easily applicable to you too. After all you also don’t want to be scammed by dishonest individual claiming certain needs.
   
   
8. Share your experience whether bad or good with other aidmates. Give yourself a chance to be warned on time and make aidPage a safer place by exposing the scammers.

Follow these simple rules and you will have safer and pleasant experience on aidPage.

Again, be patient and apply common sense!

How to protect ourselves from scammers?

It is a real world and there are many types of people. I do believe that the vast majority consists of honest, decent people, unfortunately, there are also scammers, liars and so on. In most of the cases we are unable to recognize them from the first contact. If this contact is via anonymous communication it is even more difficult. Additionally, if the other person is a scammer, the chances are that you will be dealing with a person way more experienced than you with the Internet. Most of the scammers prefer to talk to you one-to-one. Of course! This way it is much easier to create a believable story and it is way more difficult to check this story. Sounds dangerous, doesn’t it? Yes it does, but only sounds like that. In reality it is not that difficult to protect yourself. There is a way to greatly minimize the risk of being scammed. I will try to explain it as simple as possible.

Everything starts with a simple rule:

USE COMMON SENSE!
            It is not that difficult at all!

1. Assume that the scammer is smarter than you. It doesn’t matter whether it is actually true. That assumption will help you a lot. Less ego is safer! If you do think that the scammer is smarter it is more likely to ask somebody else for help. Therefore, more likely to identify possible scam.
   
   
2. All of you are used in the old way – ‘…here is my email, phone number or (even worst) my address  – contact me…’. I know, it appears simple and forward, but it is stupid and dangerous. How about a new way of communication? How about keeping your privacy and keep communicating at the same time? Yes! There is a new way – use aidPage! Keep ALL of your communication with the aidmates via aidPage only. You have choice of public and private messages. It is even more convenient that the old email. What is more important – you exact location and email address are protected. So, the other party has no way to get this private information unless you give it to him/her yourself. Which brings us to the next question – when, how and how much information should we give to the other party?
   
   
3. Will you give your home address or phone number to a complete stranger on the street? Probably not. Why you are doing it on the net?! What would be the common sense action on the street? You will try to get to know this person better. Perhaps, you will meet somewhere else; perhaps, you will take a friend with you…; perhaps after you feel more confident you may give him/her some more personal information about you. Sounds natural, isn’t it? Well, it is! Do exactly the same thing here. Talk to anybody you like. Ask other aidmates for their opinion about this person. Give yourself enough time to know this person.
   
   I do understand that when you are in trouble there is not much time and you would like to get help as soon as possible. That is probably true, but it is also true that you don’t want more troubles. So, remember – Patience is a virtue! What was the first rule - The scammer is smart. Ok, maybe, but being smart the scammer don’t like to invest too much time with you. He/she is in this for an easy catch. If you are patient, careful and you are asking questions you are not an easy catch. Most likely he/she will loose interest or in the mean time will be identified as scammer by you or some other aidmate. So, you are safe. On the other hand, if the other party is a decent person he/she will not be offended by your questions. He/she understands your worries and will be patient too. A person that is willing to help you will not ask you for anything in advance. It is not a trade – it is help!
   
   
4. Let us say, you found an individual that is willing to help you by sending you some item that you need. There may be shipping charges involved. You might be willing to cover these charges. It is ok, but PLEASE don’t do this in advance! Think! Most likely the other person is better situation than yours. So, he/she can take care about these charges at least temporarily. Once, you receive the item, you can send shipping charges back. If you trust him/her with your address it is just fair to expect such trust back.
   
   
5. If there are money involved. The best way is to use Paypal. It is easy, free and it is safe. Yes, it is easier to get a money order or a check, but it is also easier to counterfeit them. Remember – you are patient and you are not looking for trouble!
   
   One important note: If somebody is sending you money with a condition to distribute some of them to other parties this is almost 100% scam. Ask yourself why he/she needs this? If he/she want to send money to several people it is easy to be done. Why sending money to you to send them to somebody else? It is a scam!
   
   
6. If the other party claims to be an organization then it is even easier. Any legitimate organization has a public website, publicly known address, phone and officers. If some of this information is missing or withhold there is something wrong! Alter all it is simple advertising for this organization. Ask yourself why it should be a secret? Ask them to publish this information on aidPage. This way other aidmates will be able to check them too.
   
   
7. A word for the people willing to help. The above rules of communication are easily applicable to you too. After all you also don’t want to be scammed by dishonest individual claiming certain needs. 
   
   
8. Share your experience whether bad or good with other aidmates. Give yourself a chance to be warned on time and make aidPage a safer place by exposing the scammers.

Follow these simple rules and you will have safer and pleasant experience on aidPage.

Again, be patient and apply common sense!

I realize that my listing isn't going to be much different then the million other listings on the internet searching for financial assistance. A while back I was on all the cyberbeg sites asking for help to keep my home. I was contacted by what I thought was a very heart warming person. They said they were going to send me a cashiers check in the amount of $4,000.00. Looking back I didn't see the warning signs because I was so desperate to save my home. Just typing this I feel so foolish because who in their right mind would send $4,000.00 to a complete stranger. Well anyways my bank cashed the check for me and I gave the mortgage company the $4,000.00 to stop the foreclosure. The check came back and my account is in the red $4,000.00. The bank has contacted the District Attorney and they want to press charges against me. I explained to them what happened but they said I still owe them the money. I don't have this kind of money. I am hoping that my story will get to someone who can assist me in getting out of my mess that I have gotten myself into. I'm not asking for anyone to give me $4,000.00. Anything would help. Maybe someone could loan me the money and I will pay it back.
My email address is mrutherford003@comcast.net

I got this in my email today and wanted to pass it along.... 

As always NEVER, EVER give out your personal INFO!!!! 


***************************************************
You can find this info at:

http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?qoffGHApPa_3NXl0cmQNPA
 but
I've also repeated it below.

This is what's known as "demand draft" fraud and 
right now there is an aggressive ring contacting 
St. Louis Bank customers posing as employees
of the "Overdraft department" trying to get
 people 
to tell them their checking account numbers.

In fact just while writing this I got a call from
a lady claiming to be from the "collections
 department"
(we had already contacted our Bank and alerted
them of the issue).

Like I said, I'm sure you know how this works,
but just in case here it is in a nutshell:


Don't give a company your checking account
 information
or social security number until you're
 comfortable with them.

A major source of fraud today is called "demand
 draft" 
fraud.

Here's how it works:

Once you provide the account information, a
 criminal 
creates a "demand draft" (i.e. a remotely created
 check 
that doesn't require a signature) and withdraw
 funds from
your account -- often without your permission.

They get away with it because demand drafts
 generally only 
require the customers typewritten checking
 account number, 
a notation that the customer authorized the draft
 and/or a 
statement such as the statement "No signature
 required," 
"Authorization on file," "Signature on file," or
 words 
similar to that effect.

If you are a victim of a scam like this you will
 need to work
with your bank and almost always close your
 current checking
account and open a new one.

can anyone out there help me i desperately need 5000 dollars to catch up some past do bills and pay off several cash advances.  My husband does not knoow about any of this and i cannot tell him for fear that he will leave me and take the boys.  I made a huge mistake in our checkbook and before i was able to catch it the damage was done,  now my only hope is to obtain the money to fix it and catch up.  I would have been able to do this however about three months ago I was let go from my job and it took me nearly two months to find a new job it is a better job with better pay but getting caught up is almost impossible.  please help

hey,

i was scammed a few months back and i desperately need to come up with $5000 a.s.a.p. i'm supposed to be starting a new job, but now i'm being threatened by the bank because i'm not able to pay them back just yet. if anyone can help me out, please let me know.

thanks,
L.

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

This is from Reuters:

"An international crackdown on Internet financial scams this year has yielded more than $2.1 billion in seized fake checks and 77 arrests in the Netherlands, Nigeria and Canada, U.S. and other authorities said on Wednesday.

The scammers, often West African organized crime groups, use ploys such as "spam" e-mail offering to pay recipients "processing fees" for depositing checks, which later turn out to be phony, and sending the ostensible proceeds to the scammer, authorities said.

The ruses are aided by U.S. financial practices that quickly credit a bank customer for deposits even though it can take far longer to discover a fake check and reclaim the money from the customer. The victims find themselves out the money they forward when the checks prove to be fake."

Read the full article...

New phishing scam targets child-support recipients

A new phishing scheme is targeting EPPICard users, according to the FBI.

Sue Marquette Poremba
SC Magazine

Jun 16, 2008 12:50 EST

A new phishing scheme is targeting EPPICard users, according to the FBI.

The EPPICard is a debit-like card issued by 15 state agencies and used for the distribution of child-support funds.

Under this latest phishing attack, card users receive emails or text messages claiming there are problems with their account and to follow the enclosed link to correct the problem, the FBI said in a news release.The link directs users to a fraudulent website where their account information and PIN could be compromised.

In addition, a second message asks users to take an online survey, the FBI said. The survey asks for the EPPICard account information, stating that a payment for taking the survey will be deposited into the account.

“This is yet another attempt by cybercriminals to take advantage of technology to gain access to your personal information," FBI Special Agent Richard Kolko said in the news release. "We are asking citizens to be alert and not to fall victim to these schemes. If you receive one of these messages, please report it to Internet Crime Complaint Center."

The EPPICard website (EPPICard.com) is aware of the phishing scam, Andrew Lochart of email security firm Proofpoint told SCMagazineUS.com on Monday. When visiting the site, a red alert box appears on the screen with a warning.

“If you don't get that message, you aren't on the real website,” Lochart said.

He added that this phishing scheme was first seen in late May. One of the things that make the EPPICard appealing is that, as long as a person has the PIN, anyone can use the card.

“This is a very targeted attack because it is easy money,” Lochart said.

If users have any questions about the legitimacy of an email, rather than clicking on the direct link, they should use a trusted bookmark or manually type in the site's URL into the address bar, he said.

Source: SC Magazine

http://www.wkbw.com/news/technology/?feed=bim&id=20037444

I'm really sorry this might sound pretty unusual, as it is I've been left with no other option under the present circumstance to present my predicament in the past few weeks. As you probably know, I lost my husband of 21yrs to cancer about 5years ago. Since then, I've been saddled with the responsibility of raising our two sons, who are now grown. I registered on a dating site out of loneness and curiosity. It was fun at first and a moment of change came  when I met a man online who seemed to be everything I ever wanted in my life, but he was far away in Europe at the  time I met him. He promised to return to the States after his missionary work in Europe which was supposed to be in 21 days after we met. He called me every day, sent me text messages, e-mails, cards, gifts and all that. He was so amazing.The turning point in our relationship came when he sent a mail to me saying he had a missionary project he was up to somewhere in West Africa and that he would spend an extra week over there before returning to the States. That was okay because he kept calling me. He later sent me another e-mail after two days telling me that he had been attacked and stripped of his possessions and he needed money to carry out the urgent assignment with 10 other missionaries on tour with him. And that was it. He was all over me. All the money I had on me was that which my husband left and a few savings from my previous job. I didn't know what to do at first. My sons were against the whole relationship from the start and it made it really hard for me to consult their opinion and since any decision I made at the time was going to affect them anyway, I had to decline the help. It really hurts to do it. He hated me for that and made me feel guilty like I didn't care about his well being and offered me one last chance of helping him. He sent 3 checks equivalent to the money he asked for and I accepted it hoping he will come for his check someday and I will have my money paid back to me, I paid $165,000 to him and that was the last I heard of him.

 IT WAS A SCAM...the blooming fraudster sent me fake checks.

  Thanks so much in advance, I love you.

Cindi Walton

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

Do not trust giving anyone your information for a loan on this site. Especially if they are not from the usa. If they are from another country the united states will not bother trying to track them down. There are a lot of scams going on. If the person wants to give you a loan, tell them to send it through paypal, revolution money excahnge, or alertpay. These transactions are recorded and you can make notes of the transaction. Do not send your information to anyone. I know a lot of people are a little desperate but don't trust it. You will be sorry.